By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
UNITED STATES President Donald Trump has praised Nigeria for its partnership with Washington following the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and one of the group’s most active battlefield commanders.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that President Trump announced on Saturday that al-Minuki was eliminated during what he called a “meticulously planned and very complex” joint military operation involving Nigerian and American troops.
The US president said the death of the terror leader would significantly weaken ISIS operations globally.
“Thank you to the Government of Nigeria for your partnership on this operation,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social.
The operation marks a major milestone in the growing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States amid worsening terrorist threats across the Sahel and West Africa.
Operation Launched After Intelligence Buildup
In a statement issued by Operation HADIN KAI, the Nigerian military said the operation began shortly after midnight on Saturday and ended around 4,00a.m.
Sani Uba, media information officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, said the mission followed months of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations focused on al-Minuki’s movements and activities.
According to the statement, intelligence confirmed that the ISIS commander and his fighters had established “a concealed and fortified enclave” in Metele, Borno State, within Sector 3 of Operation HADIN KAI.
Uba said Nigerian and US forces carried out coordinated precision air-ground strikes on the enclave while special forces secured escape routes and provided extraction support.
“The operation involved several air platforms in a synchronised air-land configuration that left the terrorists with no avenue of escape,” the statement said.
Military authorities confirmed that al-Minuki and members of his cell were “neutralised” during the assault.
The military also disclosed that the mission was conducted without casualties or loss of assets.
“The operation was executed with zero casualties or loss of assets, a testament to the exceptional planning, superior tactical execution and the deepening synergy between Nigerian and US military forces in the global fight against terrorism,” the statement added.
Security ties deepen after high-level talks
The joint operation comes days after Nuhu Ribadu met with US Vice-President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.
According to the Nigerian presidency, discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation against terrorism, violent extremism, cyber threats, and transnational organised crime across West Africa and the Sahel.
The presidency said Ribadu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with international partners to promote peace, democratic governance, stability, and economic development across Africa.
Officials also discussed the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel and the need for stronger regional and institutional responses to asymmetric threats.
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